/boot partition > 1024

rretter · 07-15-2001, 07:14 PM

> Originally posted by abyss Fox2k:

> As jharris mentioned above, the key to getting a dual boot system to work while avoiding the 1024 limit is to have LILO write to the MBR (master boot record). If you do that you don't need a boot partition.

Well, I'm doing the RedHat 7.1 installation and the docs do recommend using a boot partition without mention of using the MBR. They are very adamant, however, about NOT using the MBR is you've got WinNT already installed.

I've got Win2000Pro, so I'm assuming the same restriction (don't use MBR applies).

> During setup you were probably asked if you wanted to write LILO to the MBR or to the first sector of the Linux partition.

Nope. The docs say I will be asked that, but the Custom flavor install (which is required in order NOT to use the MBR, as explained above --- Win2000Pro conflict) throws you into partitioning before asking about the boot record. And it's the partitioning which fails, giving the tired old "Boot sector > 1024" message.

So, how other than using something like Partition Magic to move my existing Win2000Pro partition around (and thereby spending twice as much on the single-use partition manager software than one would for the entire Linux distribution, assuming you even bought that), how can I avoid being thrown out of the installation process before even being asked about the MBR, which I can't use anyway?

> You need to select "write to the MBR." LILO will then be written there so when you boot it lets you select whether to boot into Lin or Win.

Nope, see above.

ugge · 07-16-2001, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by abyss
Fox2k,

As jharris mentioned above, the key to getting a dual boot system to work while avoiding the 1024 limit is to have LILO write to the MBR (master boot record). If you do that you don't need a boot partition.

This is not all true as the earlier versions of lilo, which are more common, cannot address space above cylinder 1024. As lilo are responsible for loading your kernel it has to be within first 1024 cylinders. Your kernel are placed in your /boot that needs to be before 1024 cyl.
The actual lilo program are placed in your MBR which is the first 512 bytes of your drive.

Quote:

During setup you were probably asked if you wanted to write LILO to the MBR or to the first sector of the Linux partition. You need to select "write to the MBR." LILO will then be written there so when you boot it lets you select whether to boot into Lin or Win.

Still lilo must reach your kernel in /boot

Quote:

This might cause you to have to reinstall Linux at this point, but shouldn't cause you to have to change the Win partition. At worst, you could try another distro (with a better version of LILO?) and have it rewrite your current Linux partition and then write to the MBR.

Changing MBR or reinstalling lilo doesn't need reinstalling all of your system.

Quote:

BTW, this is operating system #2. If you plan on installing something else into partition #3 (e.g., Win2k), do it BEFORE you reinstall Linux. The MBR with LILO should be written last for it to work.